When she left, his chest rose with a deep inhale. “This actually isn’t so bad.”
“Once she returns with the buns, it’s only going to get better.”
“It can’t be better since I’m out with you.”
I melted inside. Completely. These were the times he made me feel so damn special. And tonight, we were out where everyone could see. Anyone who wanted to gossip would know by noon tomorrow, after the church crowd had had time to talk, that Jonah and I had been out together. That I’d kissed him.
They’d know Jonah was a real man, with a real life, and he was mine. I hoped he always would be.
Jonah
We had just finished our food when Rhys Kinkade stopped at the table. He was as tall as me and his dark hair was flattened like he’d worn some sort of hat all day until he’d decided cooking dinner was too much. He had two girls in tow and they both blinked at me until Summer smiled and waved at them.
“Hey, Summer,” Rhys said and turned his attention to me. “Hi, Jonah. I don’t know if you know whoI am?—”
“I’ve been a hermit, but I haven’t forgotten everything,” I said congenially.
He chuckled. “Good to know. I just wanted to make sure everything’s okay on your end with the purchase of your parents’ property.”
He was making sure his new neighbor wouldn’t be a disgruntled recluse who held a grudge and terrorized him or his kids in his new house. I could’ve bristled, but he had the balls to ask me, and he was doing it thoughtfully and respectfully.
“I have no worries. Mom and Dad have made up their mind and there’s nothing from their place I want that I haven’t already been given.”
“Good.” He relaxed and his smile was less strained. “That’s good. But you know, if you think of anything, just give me a call. I can give you my number. Your parents have been excellent about the whole deal, but just in case.”
I dug out my phone. If Summer’s kiss didn’t shock the hell out of anyone paying attention, then trading numbers like I was a normal guy with friends would do the trick. I programmed his number in.
To keep a weird silence from descending, I grasped for a conversational topic. I wanted to make every part of this night good for my sexy date. “Mom’s looking forward to having the house full of kids.”
Rhys smiled again. He was the type of adult I should’ve turned into. A family guy who wanted to expand and grow with his kids. “That’s what she told me. ‘Who would’ve thought? Pink?’”
That was pretty close to the exact words she’d said to me. “She’s not getting the kids or the pink from me, so I’m glad you and your girls can help her out.”
The youngest girl with the ringlets in her ponytail tugged on his hand. “Daddy. I have to pee.” She did a little dance in place.
Rhys must’ve recognized the urgency. He grimaced. “Yes, sorry.” To us, he said, “Thought I could spare a couple minutes, but I pushed it. Nice to talk to you.” He nodded at each of us and rushed off with his kids.
I took a pull of my water. The stress that had ridden my shoulders since Summer had asked to go out last night was gone. Tonight had been pleasant. Summer made all the difference, but it wasn’t just that. Iwantedto be out. I wanted to get to know people like Rhys. I wanted to see what he did with my childhood home. I wanted to hear how enthused Mom was about little girls filling the place.
When I met Summer’s gaze, there was a line in her forehead. Her ripe lips were turned down as she considered me.
“Everything okay?”
She didn’t immediately answer, but she shook herself. “Yeah, no, I’m fine.”
I liked to think I knew her well enough to call bullshit. She wasn’t fine. Something about the exchange had bothered her and she wasn’t saying. I’d have to wait until we left.
I was riding high on nothing but steak and water—and excellent buns. I was out with my woman, and for now, all was right in the world. Finally. I wasn’t going to go searching for problems.
I’d been so worried, but everything about tonight was surprising me in the best way. I couldn’t wait to end it with her in my arms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Summer
I picked at my nails while Jonah navigated the roads home. When we drove past the place where the accident had taken place, Jonah slowed to a stop. He kept his lights on and the glow lit the ditch where Jonah’s pickup must’ve been after the crash.
“It’s different now,” he said. “When I drive by.”
